Emergency Response: Floods Displace Thousands in Sierra Leone

Torrential rains in Sierra Leone this week caused widespread floods, resulting in at least seven deaths and the displacement of thousands. Many of Freetown’s 1.2 million residents have sought shelter in the city’s sports stadium. Without access to medical care or appropriate sanitation, the crowded living situation raises concern for Cholera and Ebola transmissions.

After two weeks without a confirmed case of Ebola, the virus claimed the life of a teenager in Bombali district. As a precaution, 700 people remain under quarantine.

Direct Relief’s Response:

Direct Relief is in contact with Sierra Leone-based Medical Research Center (MRC). MRC is adapting a medical tent from Direct Relief into a temporary care unit. As MRC draws on its available medical resources to care for people displaced by the storms, Direct Relief is preparing an emergency medical shipment to backfill their inventory.

With forecasts predicting more rain through next week, the situation is expected to worsen.